Hello Everyone,

I need some help to implement my WLAN-Stick (Image 1).
According to another user it should be ok by Plug and Play.

It is plugged to the USB-Port and on the Stellarmate dashboard I can see it in the USB-Section (Image 2) but without drivers?

In Stellarmate I cannot find it or use it.
If I am looking in Network Connection Part under devices there is only one wlan0 (image 3).

If I understood it right there should be two options wlan0 (internal RPi)) and wlan1 (USB-Stick)?

I tried other solutions with network over AC-Connection but my outdoor power outlet in the garden has another circuit and connection therefore is really slow.

Best Regards and thanks for any help.
Sven

After searching around a bit, seems there is a Kernel driver for it here: github.com/jschultz/rtl8192su

I'll see if I can include this in the next SM OS release for RPi4.

Hi Jasem,

Thanks a lot, that would be great if it can be integrated into SM OS.

Best Regards
Sven

Hi Jasem,
I tried the SM OS v1.7.8 from 2023-08-01. Same Situation as before with the WLAN-Stick.
Probably there was not enough time to integrate the drivers?
Best Regards
Sven

You may need to update your kernel. I had a similar issue with my "RTL88x2bu [AC1200 Techkey]" and Jasem advised me to use github.com/pimlie/ubuntu-mainline-kernel.sh to install a newer kernel - I went with 6.4.6.

After updating, I commented out the blacklists for the rtl88x2bu and it worked.

The internet tells me that "r8712u" is the driver for vid 0BDA pid 8172; and 'modinfo r8712u" on my system with kernel 6.4.6 seems to confirm it.

This works OK on Ubuntu, but on Bullseye it's not as easy. I wonder if Debian Bookworm has support for this out of the box?

Hi Chris,
thanks. I am a little bit affraid of playing with the kernels therefore I am a Linux-Newbie.
Can you explain the part with the blacklists?
Best Regards
Sven

Hi Jasem,
I have to admit I dont know.
Do you see any possibilities for SM OS or is it easier to use an other WLAN-Stick?
Best Regards
Sven

Various linux distributors have opinions on which modules are good enough to be available by default. On ubuntu, they seem to inhibit watchdogs and "staging" (not production) quality drivers... that tends to include a lot of modern network devices.

So... look in
* /lib/modprobe.d
* /lib/modules-load.d
* /etc/modprobe.d
* /etc/modules-load.d
* /usr/lib/modprobe.d
* /usr/lib/modules-load.d

for files that refer to the device you're interested in. Some of these files inhibit automatically loading the driver, some of them just set default options (power saving, LEDs, etc.).

My stellarmate is running kernel 6.1.21 (use `uname -a` to check your version) and it looks like there's a compatible driver. Try `modprobe r8712u` and see if a new network device shows up

Edit: part of the problem is that vendors also change the chipset inside the device without changing the version number on the box. Basically you just have to be lucky when shopping, and buy them from someplace with a good return policy.

Thanks chris